Chin Implant in Brazil: mentoplasty for facial balance
In addition to procedures such as facelift, blepharoplasty and rhinoplasty, I also perform mentoplasty — the chin augmentation surgery with solid silicone implants. As a board-certified plastic surgeon in Brazil with over twenty years of experience and more than eight thousand surgeries, I understand how a well-proportioned chin is fundamental to facial balance. A small or recessed chin can unbalance the entire proportion of the face, accentuate the appearance of a large nose, and create the impression of excess skin in the submental region. In my technique, the chin implant is positioned inside the mouth, through a minimally invasive access that leaves no visible external scars.
Through chin augmentation, I can reshape and resize the chin area to promote a more balanced and aesthetic profile. International patients seeking cosmetic surgery abroad appreciate my personalised approach and the exceptional value that my clinic in Brazil offers. If you would like to know more, contact Clinica Zamarian and book a consultation.
When is it recommended?
During the consultation, I assess various aspects of the face, including the patient's dentition and bite. If the occlusion is balanced — without retrognathism (receding jaw) or prognathism (protruding jaw) — and there is still a disproportionately small chin, mentoplasty is recommended. This condition is known as hypomentonism, and the treatment is performed with a solid silicone prosthesis. To classify the bite, I use Angle's classification, which is internationally recognised.
In cases where there is significant prognathism or retrognathism, I first request an orthognathic evaluation with a specialised dentist. Depending on the analysis, the professional may recommend corrective jaw surgery, conservative orthodontic treatment with braces, or simply clear the patient for mentoplasty. Each case requires an individualised and comprehensive assessment.
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Subscribe on YouTubeDr. Walter Zamarian Jr. explains about chin augmentation with silicone implant
Pre-operative
The consultation
During the consultation, I assess the dentition, the bite, the projection of the chin, and all relevant anatomical details to plan the surgery according to your facial profile. It is also at this moment that I choose the most suitable implant size. Generally, I use size two implants for women and size three for men, according to the Silimed table, but the size may vary according to the specific needs of each patient.
Examinations
I request the following pre-operative examinations in order to perform the chin augmentation with maximum safety:
- Complete blood count;
- PT with INR + APTT;
- Creatinine;
- Urea;
- Fasting blood glucose;
- Total proteins and fractions
- Urinalysis;
- ECG;
- Pre-operative cardiac assessment with a cardiologist.
The anaesthesia
I perform chin augmentation under general anaesthesia, which provides comfort during the procedure. The surgery lasts about twenty-five minutes, and the patient wakes up shortly afterwards with postoperative discomfort usually controlled by standard analgesia.
The surgery
I perform the chin augmentation through an incision in the oral cavity, between the gum and the lower lip. This way, there are no visible external scars at the end of the recovery. After the incision, I make a subperiosteal dissection close to the bone to create the exact space where the solid silicone implant will be positioned. I use Silimed implants, ranging in sizes from one to three, smooth, which I shape during the surgery to adapt them to each patient's jaw anatomy — this personalised adjustment is essential for a natural and symmetrical result. Then, I close the incision with absorbable sutures that do not need to be removed. An external dressing with micropore is then applied to prevent movement of the silicone in the first five to seven days. I advise all patients to maintain a liquid diet for five days and to sleep on their back for a month. The surgery lasts about twenty to thirty minutes, is performed under general anaesthesia in theatre, and the patient can be discharged on the same day, unless the chin augmentation is combined with other plastic surgeries.
Scars
I perform the chin augmentation exclusively from inside the mouth, with an incision in the lower oral vestibule. This means there are no external scars at all. The sutures are absorbable and do not need to be removed, further simplifying recovery.
Post-operative
Immediately after chin augmentation, it is necessary to maintain a liquid diet for five days to avoid food entering the incision and possible contamination. After this period, I remove the external dressing and the patient can resume normal eating. I recommend a month without physical exercise and sleeping on their back until the healing allows sleeping on their side and starting light walks. After two months, I release any physical effort — at this stage, the swelling has already reduced significantly, and this is when the patient returns for post-operative photos. There is no need for special care with the internal scar, and in my clinical experience complications from this procedure are uncommon when indication, technique and postoperative care are appropriate.
Longevity of the silicone chin implant
The solid silicone chin implant is, as a rule, stable long-term and does not usually need exchanging — unlike gel silicone breast implants, which manufacturers advise reviewing periodically. Removal is only required in the rare cases of bony erosion, which typically have no major consequences. Even when removal is needed, the fibrous capsule that forms around the implant already gives extra volume to the area and, in most cases, a fresh implant is not required. In my clinical experience, the complication rate of this procedure is very low.
Do I use any method to fix the implant to the bone?
My technique does not require the use of screws or other fixation methods. This is possible because I create a snug space, crafted to the exact size of the implant, ensuring immediate stability. Additionally, the external dressing used in the first five to seven days immobilises the area, and when it is removed, the initial healing has usually occurred sufficiently to reduce the risk of early migration. The absence of screws brings two important benefits: it makes the surgery more economical and reduces the risk of complications related to screw exposure or infection around fixation hardware.
Is there another type of incision for chin augmentation?
Yes, there is an external incision, just below the chin. However, I do not use this access, as the intraoral incision offers equivalent results without leaving any visible scars.
Profileplasty: the plastic surgery of the facial profile
It is more common than one might think to combine rhinoplasty (nose surgery) and chin augmentation (chin surgery). The nose and chin maintain a direct relationship in the profile of the face and form an essential set for facial balance. This combination is called profileplasty — the plastic surgery of the facial profile.
Frequently, the patient arrives at my office believing that their nose is too large, when in fact what detracts from the profile is a retruded chin that highlights the nose by contrast. Profiloplasty corrects this imbalance in an integrated manner, requiring careful evaluation of each case during the consultation. Sliding genioplasty, an alternative bony technique based on osteotomy, is performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMFS) rather than by me.
A significant advantage of profiloplasty is that it preserves individual characteristics, altering the original physiognomy very little. The surgery merely restores the lost balance between facial structures, promoting expressive results with subtle and natural changes.
How much does a chin implant cost in Brazil?
The cost of chin augmentation with a solid silicone implant is quoted case by case. The total investment covers surgical fees, the anaesthetic team, the Silimed implant (sizes 1 to 3), consumables and the hospital day-case charge. I provide a tailored quote during the first consultation, after assessing the anatomy of your chin, your Angle dental occlusion class and whether the operation will be standalone or combined with another procedure such as rhinoplasty (profiloplasty). Combined procedures usually come in at a lower total cost than staging the surgeries separately.
Patients considering medical tourism to Brazil from the United Kingdom often ask how prices compare. In practice, the full bundled cost of chin augmentation in my Londrina practice — honoraria, anaesthesia, Silimed implant, hospital and follow-up — is a fraction of typical private London figures quoted in £, even once international airfare and recovery accommodation are added in. During the consultation I walk you through what is and is not included, and supply a single written estimate in pounds sterling upon request.
NHS cover, private medical insurance and chin augmentation
The NHS does not usually cover chin augmentation for cosmetic reasons. Exceptional Funding Requests (EFR) may be considered in rare cases of congenital deformity (e.g. craniofacial syndromes) or post-trauma reconstruction, subject to ICB approval and strict clinical criteria. UK private medical insurers — BUPA, AXA Health, Vitality and Aviva — specifically exclude cosmetic chin surgery under their standard policy wording. My Londrina practice operates on a self-pay basis, with the quotation presented transparently during the consultation so you know exactly what you are committing to before surgery.
Reduction genioplasty: why I do not perform it and who does
"Reduction genioplasty" — also called chin setback, chin reduction or mentoplasty for a prominent chin (hypermentonism) — is the operation to reduce a chin considered too large. I do not perform reduction genioplasty in my practice. Below I explain why, and where to look if that is your scenario.
Reducing the chin requires a bony osteotomy: the surgeon saws through the anterior portion of the mandibular bone, removes a wafer of bone and fixes the remaining segment back in place using titanium miniplates and screws (occasionally stainless steel wire, in selected techniques). It is done intraorally, is technically more demanding than augmentation with a silicone implant, and is typically performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMFS) or within a full orthognathic surgery pathway — especially when there is also a bite problem, retrognathism or prognathism.
In my practice, the decision to offer augmentation chin surgery only, with a solid silicone Silimed implant, is a clinical one: it is the operation in which I have the highest case volume, the most predictable outcome and the lowest complication rate. If you are looking to shorten a prominent chin, I advise consulting an oral and maxillofacial surgeon with orthognathic training to assess sliding genioplasty. That specialist can indicate, depending on the case, isolated setback genioplasty or full orthognathic surgery when the midface or the occlusion are also involved. In the UK, OMFS consultants dual-qualified in medicine and dentistry appear on both the GMC Specialist Register and the GDC specialist lists (Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery) — you can verify them at gmc-uk.org and gdc-uk.org.
Chin before and after chin augmentation: what to expect
Before chin augmentation, a patient with microgenia (hypomentonism) typically shows a retruded chin, a convex facial profile (so the nose looks larger by contrast), a poorly defined cervicomental angle and, often, the impression of excess skin beneath the chin even without being overweight. Many patients arrive at my clinic convinced that they need a rhinoplasty, when in reality the profile is thrown off by the chin — a very understandable misreading, because the eye focuses on the nose but judges the whole set.
After the operation, the chin gains anterior projection in proportion to the rest of the face, the profile becomes balanced and the cervicomental angle defines itself — which often gives the impression of an improved neck, even though nothing has been touched there. The result comes in progressively: during the first 5 to 7 days the external tape dressing and the early oedema still mask the shape; between 2 weeks and 2 months the new contour starts to reveal itself; and at around 2 months I consider the moment right for clinical photographs, once the residual swelling has settled.
I do not publish before-and-after photographs on the website, in line with the Brazilian Medical Council Code of Ethics (CFM Resolution 1.974/2011 and the Medical Advertising Handbook), which restricts the promotional use of patient images even with informed consent. During a face-to-face consultation I am able to show real cases of my own (with express authorisation, in a private setting) so that you can judge the pattern of my results with full transparency. This is comparable to the way UK consultants on the GMC Specialist Register and members of BAAPS or BAPRAS handle patient imagery under the GMC's Good Medical Practice guidance.
Male chin augmentation: technical differences
Planning male chin augmentation is not the same as planning female chin augmentation. In men, the ideal chin sits further forwards, is squarer and has a more defined jawline — a strong chin is one of the anatomical markers most associated with perceived masculinity. For male patients I therefore tend to use size 3 Silimed implants (the larger size), shaped intraoperatively to emphasise the anterior vector and subtly widen the bigonial line.
In women, the planning runs the opposite way: a slightly less projected chin, with a smooth transition between the pogonion and the mandibular angle, so that femininity is preserved. In those cases, I tend to choose size 2 implants and sculpt the silicone for a more discreet projection, avoiding any masculinising effect on the face.
Male chin augmentation is frequently combined with other operations that reinforce the masculine axis: structural rhinoplasty (keeping a straighter, higher dorsum) and male deep plane facelift when there is cervical skin laxity. Planning these procedures in an integrated way is what I call male profile harmonisation.
Non-surgical chin augmentation: hyaluronic acid dermal filler
The non-surgical alternative to chin augmentation is injection of the chin with hyaluronic acid dermal filler — an in-office procedure, performed with a needle or microcannula, under local anaesthesia and with immediate social recovery. In the UK it is routinely performed using products such as Juvéderm Voluma, Restylane Defyne or Restylane Lyft, and increasingly HArmonyCa (a calcium hydroxyapatite and hyaluronic acid hybrid). It is a valid option in three scenarios: (a) patients who want to "test-drive" the result before committing to surgery; (b) mild microgenia, where a small volume of filler is enough to balance the profile; and (c) patients with a contraindication or understandable concerns about surgery.
The limitations of hyaluronic acid dermal filler are real and worth knowing. The product is absorbable (it lasts on average 12 to 24 months, depending on the formulation and the region), it needs periodic top-ups, the cumulative cost over several years is high and, in large volumes in the chin, it can migrate, form nodules or create an irregular projection. For moderate to severe microgenia, a solid silicone Silimed implant gives a more predictable, more durable and anatomically more natural result, as it is shaped during the operation to sit flush against the mandible.
A few important caveats. Autologous fat grafting to the chin gives a less predictable result than an implant — part of the graft is reabsorbed in the first few months. Techniques marketed as "chin thread lifts" or PMMA "bioplasty" ("liquid implants") are not something I recommend, because of the high complication rate and the fact that, once placed, PMMA is essentially impossible to remove. The MHRA and the UK Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) both urge caution with unregulated filler practice; choose a practitioner on the GMC or GDC registers and ask whether the product used is CE- or UKCA-marked.
Risks, complications and a poorly performed chin augmentation
Like any operation, chin augmentation carries risks — low, but real. The main ones described in the peer-reviewed literature are: infection (rare, because the mouth has antibacterial salivary flow and the incision sits in a protected area), haematoma, mental nerve injury (usually transient, with sensation recovering over weeks to months), implant displacement (more common with loose screw fixation than with the snug-pocket technique I use), extrusion, bony erosion beneath the implant (a well-described phenomenon that is typically mild and clinically silent) and residual asymmetry.
What a poorly performed chin augmentation looks like
The signs of a badly executed chin augmentation include: an undersized or oversized implant (a chin that looks too small or caricatural), a decentred implant (visible asymmetry), an implant seated at the wrong height (too high, pushing the lower lip forwards; too low, creating a "double projection" look), late displacement, extrusion through the oral mucosa, significant bony erosion leading to sinking or exposure of the implant, a hypertrophic intraoral scar, and persistently altered lower lip sensation from mental nerve injury.
Revision chin augmentation
Revision chin augmentation is technically more demanding than a primary operation. It involves removal of the previous implant, assessment of the bony bed (whether erosion has occurred), capsulotomy when indicated and, depending on the case, re-insertion of a new implant of a different size — or conversion to an osteotomy approach (referral to an OMFS consultant). When patients present in this situation, I wait at least 6 months after the previous surgery before re-operating, so that the tissues have healed and the unsatisfactory result has fully declared itself.
Chin augmentation vs genioplasty vs orthognathic surgery
These three terms are a common source of confusion. Here is how I frame them:
- Chin augmentation (mentoplasty) with a solid silicone implant — the operation I perform: a plastic surgery procedure to correct a small chin (microgenia / hypomentonism) by placing a Silimed implant through an intraoral incision. Duration 20-30 minutes, no bone sawing.
- Sliding genioplasty — a distinct procedure: a bony osteotomy of the chin in which the surgeon cuts the anterior segment of the mandibular bone and repositions it (advancement, setback or lateralisation), fixing it with titanium miniplates or wire. It may be performed by a plastic surgeon with specific craniofacial training or, more commonly in the UK, by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMFS consultant). I do not perform sliding genioplasty.
- Orthognathic surgery — corrective surgery of the bony bases of the maxilla and/or the entire mandible, not just the chin button. It is indicated when there is significant retrognathism or prognathism, with bite misalignment (Angle class II or III). It is performed exclusively by an OMFS consultant in partnership with an orthodontist, and involves a 12 to 24 month combined orthodontic-and-surgical pathway.
At the consultation I draw this distinction up front, using Angle's classification. If your bite is balanced and the issue is confined to the chin, augmentation with a silicone implant is usually the indicated operation. If your occlusion is the problem, I send you first to a specialist orthodontist-OMFS team.
Who is qualified to perform chin augmentation?
Chin augmentation is a regulated surgical procedure. In Brazil, it is carried out only by registered medical doctors under the Brazilian Medical Act. In the United Kingdom, under the Medical Act 1983, equivalent cosmetic procedures are performed by consultants registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) on the Specialist Register, or — for sliding genioplasty and orthognathic surgery — by consultants dual-registered with the GMC and the General Dental Council (GDC). The specialists qualified to operate on the chin are:
- Consultant Plastic Surgeon — in Brazil, with RQE in Plastic Surgery and specific training in facial contouring (my own training was at the Ivo Pitanguy Clinic in Rio de Janeiro). In the UK, a Consultant Plastic Surgeon appears on the GMC Specialist Register in Plastic Surgery, typically holding FRCS (Plast), and most will be members of BAAPS (British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons) or BAPRAS (British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons). Private practice in the UK is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon (OMFS) — the specialist indicated for bony chin procedures (sliding genioplasty), orthognathic surgery and reconstructions of the lower third of the face. In Brazil, this is an odontological surgical specialty regulated by the Brazilian Federal Council of Dentistry (CFO). In the UK, OMFS consultants are dual-qualified medical and dental practitioners listed on the GDC specialty register in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and on the GMC Specialist Register.
- Head and Neck Surgeon / ENT — involved in reconstructive cases following trauma or oncological resection.
Before booking chin surgery anywhere in the world, verify the surgeon's registration. In Brazil, search the CFM Portal by name or CRM, confirm the RQE in the declared specialty and ask to see the residency diploma. For bony procedures (genioplasty / orthognathic), also verify the dental specialist's record on the CFO Portal under the specialty of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. In the United Kingdom, check the practitioner on the GMC Specialist Register at gmc-uk.org, the GDC at gdc-uk.org, and the facility's CQC inspection report at cqc.org.uk. In my own Londrina practice I am a full member of the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery (SBCP), CRM-PR 17.388 and RQE 15.688.
Day-by-day recovery from chin augmentation
Recovery from chin augmentation with a solid silicone implant is quick and, in most cases, well tolerated. I split it into three practical phases:
Phase 1 — first 5 to 7 days (early care)
Day-case discharge on the day of surgery itself. An external micropore tape dressing immobilises the chin. Exclusively liquid, cold diet for the first 3 to 5 days, progressing to cold soft food — this protects the intraoral incision and keeps the oedema under control. Oral hygiene with chlorhexidine 0.12% (alcohol-free) mouthwash after meals. Regular analgesia for discomfort and an anti-inflammatory course for the first few days. Sleep on the back with the head slightly elevated. Time off work: 3 to 5 days is enough for the majority of patients. For international patients travelling from the UK, I advise budgeting at least 7 days in Brazil before flying home.
Phase 2 — second and third week (gradual return)
Removal of the external tape dressing between day 5 and day 7. Normal diet reintroduced, with advice to avoid hard foods that require vigorous biting (whole apples, tough meat) during the first 2 to 3 weeks. Sensation of the chin and lower lip may be temporarily reduced — this returns progressively. Normal showering. Back to sedentary work. Still sleeping on the back.
Phase 3 — first to second month (consolidation)
From 30 days: light exercise cleared (walking, stationary cycling). From 45 to 60 days: impact activities and resistance training cleared. At around 2 months, residual oedema has settled and we take the clinical photographs. From that point onwards, sensation and final shape are very close to the long-term result.
Call and book a consultation for mentoplasty, the chin augmentation surgery with silicone
To learn more about mentoplasty and other plastic surgeries I perform in Brazil, get in touch with Clínica Zamarian and book a consultation. I will be pleased to assess your case in person.
Mentoplasty is often combined with rhinoplasty for complete facial profile balance, with facelift for rejuvenation, and with neck lift for defining the cervical angle. Facial fillers can complement adjacent areas. Interested patients may also consider buccal fat removal for facial thinning. Learn more about the cost.
Are you ready for this new change? Call now and book a consultation!
Dr. Walter Zamarian Jr.
Plastic Surgeon in Londrina, Brazil
Rua Engenheiro Omar Rupp, 186
Londrina - Brazil
ZIP 86015-360
Brazil
YouTube Channel: Dr. Walter Zamarian Jr.
Follow on Instagram: @drwalterzamarianjr
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Frequently Asked Questions about Mentoplasty
Does mentoplasty leave a visible scar?
Mentoplasty does not usually leave a visible external scar in my technique because I perform it exclusively from inside the mouth, with an incision in the lower oral vestibule, between the gum and the lip. This way, there is no visible external scar. The sutures I use are absorbable and do not need to be removed.
How long does the mentoplasty surgery take?
In my experience, mentoplasty for augmentation with silicone takes about twenty to thirty minutes and is performed under general anaesthesia. The patient wakes up shortly afterwards with postoperative discomfort usually controlled by standard analgesia and can be discharged on the same day — unless the mentoplasty is combined with other plastic surgeries.
Does the silicone chin implant need to be replaced?
It does not typically need replacing. The solid silicone chin implant is, as a rule, stable long-term and does not usually require exchange — unlike gel silicone breast implants, which manufacturers advise reviewing periodically. In the rare event of bony erosion, removal may be required, usually without major consequences. Even in that scenario, the fibrous capsule that forms around the implant already provides extra volume to the area and, in most cases, a fresh implant is not needed. In my clinical experience, the complication rate of this procedure is very low.
Is it possible to combine mentoplasty with rhinoplasty?
Mentoplasty can be combined with rhinoplasty, and this combination is quite common in my practice. We call it profileplasty — the plastic surgery of the facial profile. Often, the patient comes to my office believing that their nose is too large, when in fact what detracts from the profile is a receded chin. Profiloplasty corrects this imbalance in an integrated manner, with subtle changes and expressive results.
What is the postoperative period like for mentoplasty?
I recommend that my patients maintain a liquid diet for the first five days to avoid contamination of the incision. I apply an external dressing with micropore that immobilises the area for five to seven days. I advise sleeping on their back for a month and avoiding physical exercise. After two months, I clear any activity — by this stage, the swelling has significantly reduced and the patient returns for postoperative photos.
Is the silicone implant fixed with screws?
The silicone chin implant is not fixed with screws in my technique, because I create a snug space crafted to the exact size of the implant to provide immediate stability. The external dressing immobilises the area until initial healing. This approach makes the surgery more economical and reduces the risk of complications related to screw exposure or infection around fixation hardware.
When is mentoplasty recommended?
During the consultation, I assess the patient's dentition and bite using Angle's classification. If the occlusion is balanced — without significant retrognathism or prognathism — and there is a disproportionately small chin (hypomentonism), I recommend mentoplasty with a solid silicone implant. In cases with bite problems, I first request an orthognathic evaluation with a specialised dentist.
What type of implant is used in mentoplasty?
I use solid silicone implants from Silimed, with sizes ranging from one to three, smooth. Generally, I choose size two implants for women and size three for men, but the size may vary according to each patient's needs. During the surgery, I personally shape the implant to fit the anatomy of the jaw — this personalised adjustment is crucial for a natural and symmetrical result.
Can chin augmentation be done with an external incision?
There is the possibility of an external incision, just below the chin. However, I do not use this access in my practice, as the intraoral incision provides equivalent results without leaving any visible scar. I consider the intraoral approach superior in all aspects.
How much does a chin implant cost in Brazil?
The cost is quoted case by case. It covers surgical fees, the anaesthetic team, the Silimed implant, consumables and the hospital day-case charge. I provide a tailored written quote during the first consultation, after assessing the anatomy of your chin and whether the procedure will be standalone or combined with another operation such as rhinoplasty (profiloplasty). Combining procedures usually comes in at a lower total cost than staging the surgeries separately. The full bundled price in Londrina is typically a fraction of comparable private London figures in £, even after factoring in airfare and recovery accommodation.
Does the NHS or private medical insurance cover chin augmentation?
The NHS does not usually cover chin augmentation for cosmetic reasons. Exceptional Funding Requests (EFR) may be considered in rare cases of congenital deformity (such as craniofacial syndromes) or post-trauma reconstruction, subject to ICB approval and strict clinical criteria. UK private medical insurers — BUPA, AXA Health, Vitality and Aviva — specifically exclude cosmetic chin surgery under their standard policy wording. My Londrina practice operates on a self-pay basis, with a transparent written quotation at the consultation.
Do you perform reduction genioplasty for a prominent chin?
I do not perform reduction genioplasty for a prominent chin, because it requires a bony osteotomy of the chin — a technically different operation performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMFS), or within a full orthognathic pathway when there is also a bite issue. If you are looking to shorten a prominent chin, I advise consulting an OMFS consultant with orthognathic training. You can verify UK OMFS consultants on the GMC Specialist Register (gmc-uk.org) and the GDC specialty register (gdc-uk.org).
What does the chin look like before and after chin augmentation?
Before surgery, patients with microgenia show a retruded chin, a convex profile (nose looks larger by contrast) and a poorly defined cervicomental angle. Afterwards, the chin gains anterior projection in proportion to the rest of the face, the profile becomes balanced and the neck angle defines itself. The result reveals itself progressively: between 2 weeks and 2 months the new shape emerges, and at around 2 months the residual oedema has settled enough for clinical photographs. I do not publish before-and-after photos online, in line with the Brazilian Medical Council Code of Ethics (CFM Resolution 1.974/2011), but I am able to show real cases of my own during a face-to-face consultation.
Is male chin augmentation different from female chin augmentation?
Yes, the planning differs. In men, I tend to use size 3 Silimed implants, shaped to emphasise the anterior vector and to subtly widen the bigonial line, reinforcing the masculine profile. In women, I tend to use size 2 implants, sculpted for a more discreet projection and a smooth transition with the mandibular angle, preserving femininity.
Is there a non-surgical alternative to chin augmentation?
Yes — the main non-surgical alternative is a hyaluronic acid dermal filler in the chin, using products such as Juvéderm Voluma, Restylane Defyne or Restylane Lyft, and in some cases HArmonyCa. It is a reasonable option for mild microgenia, for patients who want to "test-drive" the result before committing to surgery, or for patients with a contraindication to an operation. The limitations are real: the product is absorbable (12 to 24 months on average), needs periodic top-ups, has a high cumulative cost over the years, and may migrate or nodularise in larger volumes. For moderate to severe microgenia, a solid silicone implant gives a more predictable and more durable result. I do not recommend chin thread lifts or PMMA "bioplasty".
What are the risks of chin augmentation? Is it a dangerous operation?
Chin augmentation is a low-risk operation when performed by a qualified plastic surgeon in an adequately equipped hospital. The risks described in the literature include: infection (rare, owing to the natural protection of saliva), haematoma, transient mental nerve injury, implant displacement, extrusion, bony erosion beneath the implant (typically mild) and residual asymmetry. Most of these complications are preventable with meticulous technique, correct implant sizing and rigorous follow-up.
What is the difference between chin augmentation, genioplasty and orthognathic surgery?
Chin augmentation (mentoplasty) is what I perform — I place a Silimed implant through the mouth to correct a small chin, without sawing the bone, in 20 to 30 minutes. Sliding genioplasty is a bony osteotomy of the chin (saw and reposition, fixing with titanium miniplates or wire) performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMFS consultant). Orthognathic surgery is a larger operation that corrects the maxilla and the whole mandible, indicated when there is significant bite misalignment — it is carried out by an OMFS consultant in partnership with an orthodontist, over a 12 to 24 month combined pathway.
Who is qualified to perform chin augmentation?
Chin augmentation is a regulated surgical procedure performed only by registered medical doctors. In Brazil this is governed by the Medical Act, with verification on the CFM Portal; in the United Kingdom by the Medical Act 1983, with verification on the GMC Specialist Register. The specialists qualified to operate on the chin are: Consultant Plastic Surgeon (RQE in Plastic Surgery in Brazil; FRCS (Plast) and GMC Specialist Register in the UK, typically members of BAAPS or BAPRAS), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon (OMFS) for sliding genioplasty and orthognathic surgery, and Head and Neck / ENT surgeons for reconstructive cases. In the UK, always check the CQC inspection report (cqc.org.uk) for private facilities before booking. My own credentials: full SBCP member, CRM-PR 17.388 and RQE 15.688.
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